Motocross

Standout Performance Lands Aussie Jed Beaton on the Podium in Portugal

Posted:

Monday, April 16th, 2018

9:38 AM

Aussie Jed Beaton gets to stand on the podium with a strong third at the MXGP of Portugal. Photo: Kawasaki

Australian Jed Beaton has had a break-through performance at round five of the FIM World MX2 Motocross Championship in Portugal resulting in his first podium.

The MX2 Rookie had already shown his liking for the track, rendered technically extremely difficult by recent heavy rainfall in the region, when he raced to third place in qualification and he continued the fine form in the two races when world championship points were at stake.

The F&H Racing Team rider used his choice of gate wisely to make top four starts in both GP motos and this gave him an excellent base to race for the podium. After holding third place for the first six laps of the opening moto he advanced to second for two laps before surrendering that place to the defending world champion but defied all other challengers to finish third.

Beaton was strong all weekend, starting off in good form qualifying third fastest on Saturday. Photo: Kawasaki

Race two followed a similar pattern as he gated fourth and moved to third place for six laps before relinquishing one position which did not affect his surge towards the overall podium. The thirty-eight points haul from the weekend sees him advance to fifth place in the series standings.

"It's always good to be on the podium; that's what we all aim for! Beaton said. "The track was tough but I started with a good qualification on Saturday; the ground was really soft after all the rain they have had here and there were many ruts but I like the technical tracks and had a lot of fun riding here.

"Everything gelled together and I really enjoyed this weekend. My season is building with the help of the team and Kawasaki and I feel like I'm getting better on all sorts of track. It was a nice surprise to make the podium already here at the fifth round of the series and for sure we will continue to progress further," Beaton concluded.

Beatons third place sees him move up to fifth in the championship standings,

Beaton now moves to a respectable 5th in the MX2 championship standings after five rounds so far. Photo: Kawasaki

MX2 Race 1 Top Ten:
1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 36:19.765
2. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:04.848
3. Jed Beaton (AUS, Kawasaki), +0:06.210
4. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:12.939
5. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:43.760
6. Adam Sterry (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:53.531
7. Alvin ÌÐstlund (SWE, Yamaha), +0:56.533
8. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, Yamaha), +1:06.790
9. Henry Jacobi (GER, Husqvarna), +1:19.351
10. Bas Vaessen (NED, Honda), +1:21.172.

MX2 Race 2 Top Ten:
1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 35:22.081
2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:03.024
3. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:03.196
4. Jed Beaton (AUS, Kawasaki), +0:14.392
5. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, Yamaha), +0:31.780
6. Calvin Vlaanderen (RSA, Honda), +0:34.081
7. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:37.360
8. Henry Jacobi (GER, Husqvarna), +0:40.860
9. Adam Sterry (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:42.100
10. Stephen Rubini (FRA, KTM), +0:43.580.

MX2 Overall Top Ten:
1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 50 points
2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 40 points
3. Jed Beaton (AUS, KAW), 38 points
4. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 36 points
5. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 36 points
6. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, YAM), 29 points
7. Adam Sterry (GBR, KAW), 27 points
8. Henry Jacobi (GER, HUS), 25 points
9. Calvin Vlaanderen (RSA, HON), 18 points
10. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, KAW), 17 points

MX2 Championship Top Ten:
1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 216 points
2. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 202 points
3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 185 points
4. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 141 points
5. Jed Beaton (AUS, KAW), 129 points
6. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, YAM), 115 points
7. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), 100 points
8. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, HON), 99 points
9. Calvin Vlaanderen (RSA, HON), 97 points
10. Henry Jacobi (GER, HUS), 96 p.